Joe I Martinez

Joe I. Martinez, 83, a lifelong resident and rancher of Watrous, NM, passed away in Santa Fe on Monday following a sudden illness. He had been living in Santa Fe at the home of his daughter, Elizabeth Gentry. He was preceded in death by his wife Estella; his parents, Marcelino and Marianita Conway Martinez; a son, Dennis Martinez; a brother, James Martinez; and three sisters, Guadalupita Paiz, Charlotte Lucero, and Mary Baker.He is survived by three daughters: Eumelia Martinez, Vangie Rosasco and husband Tony, and Elizabeth Gentry and husband Solomon all of Santa Fe, NM; two sons, Joe M. Martinez and wife Gloria and Pedro T. Martinez and wife Carmen all of Las Vegas, NM; one brother, Phil Martinez of Denver, CO; a sister, Cleo Eckard and husband Ray of Gila Bend, AZ; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.He was born on November 17. 1923 and raised in Tiptonville, NM where he graduated from the eighth grade. He worked for the J. W. Shoemaker ranch from 1939 until November of 1944. He enlisted in the United States Army on August 11, 1944 and served one enlistment in the European Theater. He graduated from the Cooks and Bakers School at Ft. Benning, GA. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class on May 2, 1945. He married the love of his life, Estella on August 26, 1945 in Wagon Mound, NM. Following his discharge from the service, he worked at the Las Vegas Medical Center and retired as a maintenance supervisor in 1985. He enjoyed his family as and a carpenter build projects around the home and tended to his garden of flowers and vegetables. His family was his main focus and he spent quality time loving his children and grandchildren. A life long catholic, he was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Watrous, NM. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in St. Francis Chapel at Gonzales Funerals & Cremations, 2315 Hot Springs Blvd. and from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. from the Sacred Heart Church in Watrous, NM. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday followed by the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. all at the Sacred Heart Church in Watrous, NM. Father C. John Brasher will celebrate the Mass. The interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

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